2 Samuel 3:3
New International Version
his second, Kileab the son of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of Maakah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

New Living Translation
The second was Daniel, whose mother was Abigail, the widow of Nabal from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.

English Standard Version
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Berean Standard Bible
his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

King James Bible
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

New King James Version
his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

New American Standard Bible
and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

NASB 1995
and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

NASB 1977
and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

Legacy Standard Bible
and his second, Chileab, by Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Amplified Bible
his second, Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom the son of [his wife] Maacah, daughter of Talmai the king of Geshur;

Christian Standard Bible
his second was Chileab, by Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third was Absalom, son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

Holman Christian Standard Bible
his second was Chileab, by Abigail, the widow of Nabal the Carmelite; the third was Absalom, son of Maacah the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

American Standard Version
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

English Revised Version
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

GOD'S WORD® Translation
The second was Chileab, [born] to Abigail (who had been Nabal's wife) from Carmel. The third was Absalom, whose mother was Maacah (the daughter of King Talmai) from Geshur.

Good News Translation
Chileab, whose mother was Abigail, Nabal's widow, from Carmel; Absalom, whose mother was Maacah, the daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

International Standard Version
his second was Chileab by Abigail, widow of Nabal from Carmel, his third was Absalom by Maacah, daughter of King Talmai from Geshur,

Majority Standard Bible
his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;

NET Bible
His second son was Kileab, born to Abigail the widow of Nabal the Carmelite. His third son was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur.

New Heart English Bible
and his second, Daluiah, of Abigail the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Webster's Bible Translation
And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

World English Bible
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
and his second [is] Chileab, of Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelite, and the third [is] Absalom son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur,

Young's Literal Translation
and his second is Chileab, of Abigail wife of Nabal the Carmelite, and the third is Absalom son of Maacah daughter of Talmai king of Geshur,

Smith's Literal Translation
And his second, Chileab, to Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom, son of Maacah, daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And his second Cheleab of Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel: and the third Absalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmai king of Gessur:

Catholic Public Domain Version
And after him, there was Chileab, from Abigail, the wife of Nabal of Carmel. Then the third was Absalom, the son of Maacah, the daughter of Talmai, the king of Geshur.

New American Bible
the second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom, son of Maacah, who was the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur;

New Revised Standard Version
his second, Chileab, of Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; the third, Absalom son of Maacah, daughter of King Talmai of Geshur;
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And his second, Caleb, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom, the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And his second, Kalab of Abigel, the wife of Nabal the Carmelite, and his third, Abishlum, son of Maaka, daughter of Tulmi, King of Gashur
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
and his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And his second son was Daluia, the son of Abigaia the Carmelitess; and the third, Abessalom the son of Maacha the daughter of Tholmi the king of Gessir.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
The House of David Strengthened
2And sons were born to David in Hebron: His firstborn was Amnon, by Ahinoam of Jezreel; 3his second was Chileab, by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel; his third was Absalom, the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; 4his fourth was Adonijah, the son of Haggith; his fifth was Shephatiah, the son of Abital;…

Cross References
1 Chronicles 3:1-4
These were the sons of David who were born to him in Hebron: The firstborn was Amnon by Ahinoam of Jezreel; the second was Daniel by Abigail of Carmel; / the third was Absalom the son of Maacah daughter of King Talmai of Geshur; the fourth was Adonijah the son of Haggith; / the fifth was Shephatiah by Abital; and the sixth was Ithream by his wife Eglah. ...

1 Samuel 25:42-44
So Abigail hurried and got on a donkey, and attended by five of her maidens, she followed David’s messengers and became his wife. / David had also married Ahinoam of Jezreel. So she and Abigail were both his wives. / But Saul had given his daughter Michal, David’s wife, to Palti son of Laish, who was from Gallim.

2 Samuel 2:8-11
Meanwhile, Abner son of Ner, the commander of Saul’s army, took Saul’s son Ish-bosheth, moved him to Mahanaim, / and made him king over Gilead, Asher, Jezreel, Ephraim, and Benjamin—over all Israel. / Saul’s son Ish-bosheth was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and he reigned for two years. The house of Judah, however, followed David. ...

2 Samuel 5:13-16
After he had arrived from Hebron, David took more concubines and wives from Jerusalem, and more sons and daughters were born to him. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Nepheg, Japhia, ...

1 Kings 1:5-6
At that time Adonijah, David’s son by Haggith, began to exalt himself, saying, “I will be king!” And he acquired chariots and horsemen and fifty men to run ahead of him. / (His father had never once reprimanded him by saying, “Why do you act this way?” Adonijah was also very handsome, born next after Absalom.)

1 Kings 2:15
“You know that the kingship was mine,” he said. “All Israel expected that I should reign, but the kingship has turned to my brother, for it has come to him from the LORD.

1 Kings 11:1-4
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. / These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. / He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. ...

1 Chronicles 14:3-7
And David took more wives in Jerusalem and became the father of more sons and daughters. / These are the names of the children born to him in Jerusalem: Shammua, Shobab, Nathan, Solomon, / Ibhar, Elishua, Elpelet, ...

Genesis 29:32-35
And Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she named him Reuben, for she said, “The LORD has seen my affliction. Surely my husband will love me now.” / Again she conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Because the LORD has heard that I am unloved, He has given me this son as well.” So she named him Simeon. / Once again Leah conceived and gave birth to a son, and she said, “Now at last my husband will become attached to me, because I have borne him three sons.” So he was named Levi. ...

Genesis 30:1-24
When Rachel saw that she was not bearing any children for Jacob, she envied her sister. “Give me children, or I will die!” she said to Jacob. / Jacob became angry with Rachel and said, “Am I in the place of God, who has withheld children from you?” / Then she said, “Here is my maidservant Bilhah. Sleep with her, that she may bear children for me, so that through her I too can build a family.” ...

Deuteronomy 17:17
He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold.

Matthew 1:6
and Jesse the father of David the king. Next: David was the father of Solomon by Uriah’s wife,

Matthew 1:16
and Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary, of whom was born Jesus, who is called Christ.

Luke 3:31-32
the son of Melea, the son of Menna, the son of Mattatha, the son of Nathan, the son of David, / the son of Jesse, the son of Obed, the son of Boaz, the son of Sala, the son of Nahshon,

Acts 13:22
After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’


Treasury of Scripture

And his second, Chileab, of Abigail the wife of Nabal the Carmelite; and the third, Absalom the son of Maacah the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur;

Chileab

1 Chronicles 3:1
Now these were the sons of David, which were born unto him in Hebron; the firstborn Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; the second Daniel, of Abigail the Carmelitess:

2 Samuel 2:2
So David went up thither, and his two wives also, Ahinoam the Jezreelitess, and Abigail Nabal's wife the Carmelite.

1 Samuel 25:3,42
Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb…

Absalom

2 Samuel 13:20-28
And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house…

2 Samuel 14:24-33
And the king said, Let him turn to his own house, and let him not see my face. So Absalom returned to his own house, and saw not the king's face…

2 Samuel 15:1-18
And it came to pass after this, that Absalom prepared him chariots and horses, and fifty men to run before him…

Talmai

2 Samuel 13:37,38
But Absalom fled, and went to Talmai, the son of Ammihud, king of Geshur. And David mourned for his son every day…

Geshur

Deuteronomy 3:14
Jair the son of Manasseh took all the country of Argob unto the coasts of Geshuri and Maachathi; and called them after his own name, Bashanhavothjair, unto this day.

Joshua 13:13
Nevertheless the children of Israel expelled not the Geshurites, nor the Maachathites: but the Geshurites and the Maachathites dwell among the Israelites until this day.

1 Samuel 27:8
And David and his men went up, and invaded the Geshurites, and the Gezrites, and the Amalekites: for those nations were of old the inhabitants of the land, as thou goest to Shur, even unto the land of Egypt.

Jump to Previous
Abigail Ab'igail Absalom Ab'salom Carmel Carmelite Daughter Geshur Maacah Ma'acah Maachah Mother Nabal Second Talmai Third Widow Wife
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Abigail Ab'igail Absalom Ab'salom Carmel Carmelite Daughter Geshur Maacah Ma'acah Maachah Mother Nabal Second Talmai Third Widow Wife
2 Samuel 3
1. During the war David becomes stronger
2. Six sons are born to him in Hebron
6. Abner, displeased with Ishbosheth
7. revolts to David
13. David requires as a condition to bring him his wife Michal
17. Abner confers with the Israelites, feasted by David, and dismissed
22. Joab returning from battle, is displeased with the king, and kills Abner
28. David curses Joab
31. and mourns for Abner














his second was Chileab
The name "Chileab" is intriguing as it appears only here in the Bible. In Hebrew, it is thought to mean "like his father," which may suggest a close resemblance or a strong paternal bond. This name is significant as it reflects the importance of lineage and heritage in ancient Israelite culture. The emphasis on the second son highlights the continuation of David's line, which is crucial in the unfolding narrative of Israel's monarchy.

by Abigail the widow of Nabal of Carmel
Abigail is a notable figure in the biblical narrative, known for her wisdom and beauty. Her previous marriage to Nabal, a wealthy but foolish man, ended with his death, after which she became one of David's wives. The mention of "Carmel" situates this account geographically, as Carmel was a region known for its fertility and beauty. Abigail's transition from widowhood to becoming the mother of one of David's sons underscores themes of redemption and divine providence.

the third was Absalom
Absalom is a central figure in the narrative of David's reign, known for his striking appearance and tragic rebellion against his father. His name, meaning "father of peace" in Hebrew, is ironic given his later actions. Absalom's account is a poignant reminder of the complexities of familial relationships and the consequences of sin and ambition.

the son of Maacah
Maacah was a princess, the daughter of Talmai, king of Geshur. Her marriage to David likely served as a political alliance, a common practice in ancient times to secure peace and strengthen ties between nations. This highlights the political dimensions of David's reign and the strategic marriages that were part of his consolidation of power.

the daughter of Talmai king of Geshur
Geshur was a small Aramean kingdom located northeast of the Sea of Galilee. The mention of Talmai, the king, provides historical context, indicating the interconnectedness of the surrounding nations with Israel. This relationship would later play a role in Absalom's story, as he sought refuge in Geshur after killing his brother Amnon. The inclusion of these details emphasizes the broader geopolitical landscape in which the biblical narrative unfolds.

Verses 3-5. - Chileab. The Midrash explains Chileab as meaning "Quite like the father." He is called Daniel in the parallel genealogy in 1 Chronicles 3:1, and this was probably his real name, and Chileab a name of affection. He must have died young, for Adonijah appears as David's eldest son after the death of Amnon and Absalom; and it is thus natural that he should still be known by the name he bore as a child. Geshur. The word signifies "Bridgeland," and is the name of two districts, one of which formed the northern part of the tribe of Manasseh, and extended on both sides of the Jordan, from the little Hermon to the sea of Gennesareth (Deuteronomy 3:14; Joshua 12:5; Joshua 13:13). The other was in Syria (2 Samuel 15:8), and probably was situated upon some river, though its exact position is not yet known. Talmai, its king, now gave his daughter to be one of David's wives, and though he was probably only a petty prince, still it is a proof of David's growing power that a potentate living at so great a distance was willing to make an alliance with him. Of the other wives and their sons nothing is known except of Adonijah, who inherited, on the death of Absalom, the dangerous position of firstborn; and who, after trying to make his rights good, was put to death by Solomon (1 Kings 2:25). As Eglah is especially called David's wife, the Jewish interpreters hold that she was the highest in rank in his household, and therefore identical with Michal, who was restored to David while at Hebron. But she was childless; and more probably the words are to be taken as simply closing the narrative, and as belonging, therefore, equally to each of the six.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
his second
וּמִשְׁנֵ֣הוּ (ū·miš·nê·hū)
Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 4932: A repetition, a duplicate, a double, a second

was Chileab,
כִלְאָ֔ב (ḵil·’āḇ)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3609: Chileab -- a son of David

by Abigail,
לַאֲ‍ֽבִיגַ֕יִל (la·’ă·ḇî·ḡa·yil)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 26: Abigail -- 'my father is joy', two Israelite women

the widow
אֵ֖שֶׁת (’ê·šeṯ)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 802: Woman, wife, female

of Nabal
נָבָ֣ל (nā·ḇāl)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 5037: Nabal -- a man of Carmel

of Carmel;
הַֽכַּרְמְלִ֑י (hak·kar·mə·lî)
Article | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 3761: Carmelite -- inhabitant of Carmel

his third
וְהַשְּׁלִשִׁי֙ (wə·haš·šə·li·šî)
Conjunctive waw, Article | Number - ordinal masculine singular
Strong's 7992: Third, feminine a, third, a third, a third-story cell)

was Absalom,
אַבְשָׁל֣וֹם (’aḇ·šā·lō·wm)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 53: Absalom -- 'my father is peace', two Israelites

the son
בֶּֽן־ (ben-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 1121: A son

of Maacah
מַעֲכָ֔ה (ma·‘ă·ḵāh)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 4601: Maacah -- an Israelite name, also a non-Israelite name, also a region in Syria

the daughter
בַּת־ (baṯ-)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 1323: A daughter

of King
מֶ֥לֶךְ (me·leḵ)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

Talmai
תַּלְמַ֖י (tal·may)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8526: Talmai -- 'plowman', a father-in-law of David, also a descendant of Anak

of Geshur;
גְּשֽׁוּר׃ (gə·šūr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 1650: Geshur -- a territory East of the upper Jordan, also inhabitants of Geshur


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OT History: 2 Samuel 3:3 And his second Chileab of Abigail (2Sa iiSam 2 Sam ii sam)
2 Samuel 3:2
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